WASHINGTON—Nearly 30% of people who reported losing money to scams in 2025 said the fraud originated on social media, with total losses reaching $2.1 billion, according to new data from the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC said social media scams generated far more losses than any other contact method, with reported losses increasing eightfold since 2020. The agency noted that social platforms give scammers inexpensive access to billions of users worldwide, allowing them to exploit personal data, hack accounts or use targeted advertising tools similar to those used by legitimate businesses.
According to the FTC, consumers reported losing more money to scams that began on Facebook than on any other social media platform in 2025, with WhatsApp and Instagram ranking a distant second and third. Losses tied to Facebook alone exceeded those reported for scams initiated via text messages or email, the agency said.
The data show that all age groups—except those 80 and older—reported higher losses from social media scams than from any other contact method. For those 80 and over, social media ranked second behind phone calls.
Most Common Scams
The FTC said social media scams take several common forms:
- Investment scams: Consumers reported losing $1.1 billion to investment scams originating on social media in 2025, accounting for more than half of all social media scam losses. The FTC said these scams often begin with ads or posts offering investment training, or with fraudsters posing as advisers or creating groups featuring fake testimonials from “successful investors.”
- Shopping scams: More than 40% of victims who lost money to social media scams said they made purchases based on ads for items such as clothing, cosmetics, car parts or pets. The FTC said these ads often link to unfamiliar websites or impersonate well-known brands offering steep discounts.
- Romance scams: Nearly 60% of reported romance scam losses in 2025 began on social media platforms. The FTC said scammers frequently tailor their approaches using information from user profiles before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or steering victims toward fraudulent investment schemes.
To help consumers avoid scams, the FTC recommends limiting who can view social media posts and contact information, avoiding investment advice from people met solely online, and researching companies before making purchases by searching for complaints or scam reports.
The FTC also advises consumers to report suspected fraud through its website and provides resources on identifying and recovering from scams.
